Child Life Specialist - Fulltime

CHS Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Wisconsin is dedicated to the health and well-being of children and families. The Child Life Specialist (CLS) supports psychosocial needs through play, preparation, procedural comfort and education, helping children and families cope with hospitalization.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in child life or related field, a 600-hour internship and a year of pediatric health care experience, plus CPR-BLS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in child life or related field completed.
• 600-hour internship completed.
• At least one year of pediatric healthcare experience.
• Current CPR - BLS for Healthcare Providers.
• CCLS certification or eligible within first year.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Handoff of patient/family information with healthcare team.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial support for children and families.
• Use play, preparation and education to reduce stress and improve coping.
• Assess, monitor and document patient care throughout hospitalization.
• Collaborate with the health care team to plan and implement interventions.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical skills

Interprofessional collaboration

Assessment skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in child life

Job description

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day.

Position Summary

The Child Life Specialist (CLS) is an essential member of the health care team, supporting the psychosocial needs of the child and family. Through play, preparation, procedural support and education, a CLS helps children and families to cope with the stress and trauma often associated with hospitalization. Using an evidence-based approach to clinical practice, CLS is responsible for providing ongoing assessment of patient care for the duration of the healthcare experience.

Position Requirements

• Understanding child life, child growth and development, child psychology and family dynamics acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree in child life, child development or related field.
• Completion of a 600-hour internship experience and one year of experience working with children in a health care setting.
• Current CPR certification - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
• Certified Child Life Specialist credentials or able to complete within first year of employment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written communication.
• This includes assessment, evaluation, and provision of accurate and timely handoff of child and family information with members of the healthcare team.
• Analytical skills to observe and assess behaviors in order to direct appropriate therapeutic play programming and interventions in support of the individual child/family.

Certifications/Licenses

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council
• CCLS-Certified Child Life Specialist - Association of Child Life Professionals

Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees.

We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness.

We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law.

Dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children

In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and their families a wide range of care and support - everything from routine care for ear aches or sore throats to life saving advances and treatment options.

Our academic partner, The Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well-respected doctors to our team. Together we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best.

Learn more about our affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the power of academic medicine.